Systems and methods for providing storage of data on servers in an on-demand media delivery system

ABSTRACT

A system and method may be provided that allows users to store, retrieve, and manipulate on-demand media content and data stored on a remote server network in an on-demand media delivery system. More particularly, the system may allow a user to access his or her on-demand media account from user equipment in different locations as long as the current user equipment can communicate with a remote server that stores user-specific information. The system upon user selection may freeze the delivery of on-demand media at a particular point and allow the user to resume the media at a later time from some other network location in system. Users may upload personal images or files to an on-demand delivery server for later retrieval and display. Users may be permitted to assign access rights to the uploaded files.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/239,407 filed Oct. 11, 2000, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/252,171 filed Nov. 20, 2000, and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/270,351, filed Feb. 21, 2001 which are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to on-demand media delivery systems andmore particularly, to on-demand media delivery systems that haveuser-related memory for providing system enhancements.

In some known video on-demand systems, a set-top box may be used toreceive on-demand video from cable system headends. Such set-top boxesmay communicate or may deliver the video and/or other functionality totelevision sets, VCRs, or other local devices. These systems have beendeficient in allowing users to relocate their video-on-demand service todifferent locations. These systems may have also been deficient inproviding adequate relocation techniques, deficient in allowing users toupload and access their personal videos, graphics, images, orphotographs and deficient in allowing users to share media.

Systems have been developed that use hard disk technology or otherrecording technology to store videos of programs locally. Examples ofhard disk systems are described, in Hassell et al. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/157,256 filed Sep. 17, 1998, which is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Hard-disk basedproducts have also been developed by TiVo, Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif.,and Replay Networks, Inc. of Mountainview, Calif. These systems havebeen deficient in meeting user needs. For example, these systems do notallow the user to relocate to other households with continued access tothe recorded materials.

Television platforms have also been developed that include a return pathfrom a user's set-top box to a cable system headend. For example,client-server based program guides have been developed in which set-topboxes are in client-server arrangements with the cable system headends.These arrangements allow for two-way communication between the cablesystem headends and set-top boxes. These servers typically provideprogram listings information (e.g., program titles and broadcast times)to the set-top boxes in response to requests generated from the set-topboxes. Client-server television program guides have also been developedwhere programming and settings may be recorded on a remote server. Theseknown systems have been deficient in various ways. For example, serversin such systems (servers at the cable system headends) have beendeficient in providing sufficient mobility features.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, on-demandmedia delivery systems and methods may be provided for remote storage ofpersonal media of users, for sharing of stored media and for featuresfor relocating media-on-demand services. Such features and functionalitymay be provided based on storing user related information on anon-demand media delivering server. Such features may be providedindependent of the type of equipment (e.g., set-top box, personalcomputer, etc.) that is used to interact with the system.

The system may have a relocate feature that may allow a user to freezeon-demand media delivery on one user equipment and resume delivery andviewing from another user equipment (e.g., user equipment in a householdthat is different from the household where that user was previouslywatching the on-demand media delivery content when that user froze thedelivery). On demand media content that is presented in a live feed maybe remotely recorded for a user when a user selects to freeze thedelivery of the media content.

User-specific data may sometimes be stored in a user profile. The systemmay allow a user profile to be remotely accessed and manipulated by auser when that user has been identified by the system. A user may alsoupload or download any type of data, file, or program between local userequipment and a server in the on-demand media system. Uploaded data,files, or programs may be assigned private access rights or assignedpublic or group access rights. Access rights may include the right toread, write, manipulate, upload, or download data, files or programs.

An auto-customization feature may be included in the on-demand mediasystem. An on-demand media system may use stored user equipmentpreferences to configure and customize user equipment. The userequipment may be configured or customized when a user logs in frompractically any user equipment in the system. User equipment preferencesmay, for example, include volume settings, preferred program settings,menu configurations, and channel block settings.

These and other features and functionalities that take advantage of thespecial capabilities of on-demand media servers and take advantage ofstoring user related information and/or personal media on an on-demandmedia server are also described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The principles and advantages of the present invention can be moreclearly understood from the following detailed description considered inconjunction with the following drawings, in which the same referencenumerals denote the same structural elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram that is illustrative of a network topology of anon-demand media delivery system in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram that is illustrative of a network topology of anon-demand media delivery system in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram that is illustrative of a remote control for anon-demand media delivery system in accordance with the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4A is a diagram that is illustrative of a navigation display screenin accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a diagram that is illustrative of a video on demand directorydisplay screen in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5A is a diagram that is illustrative of a movie listings displayscreen in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a diagram that is illustrative of a movie ordering displayscreen in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a diagram that is illustrative of a movie remote-controldisplay screen in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6B is a diagram that is illustrative of a login display screen inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a diagram that is illustrative of a relocate confirmationdisplay screen in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7B is a diagram that is illustrative of a continue after relocatedisplay screen in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7C is a flow chart that is illustrative of a relocation process inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrative of a relocation process thatincludes a live content feed option in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart that is illustrative of a data and media accessprocess in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a diagram that is illustrative of a profile display screen inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a diagram that is illustrative of an account administrationdisplay screen in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a diagram that is illustrative of an auto-configure displayscreen in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrative of an auto-configure process inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 14A is a diagram that is illustrative of an upload file displayscreen in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 14B is a flow chart illustrative of an upload file process inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 15A is a diagram that is illustrative of a display screen fordesignating a file as public or private in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 15B is a diagram that is illustrative of a designate access datadisplay screen in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 16A is a diagram that is illustrative of a file search displayscreen in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 16B is a diagram that is illustrative of a file found displayscreen in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning first to FIG. 1, network topology 100 shows one embodiment of asystem architecture for an on-demand media delivery system in accordancewith the principles of the present invention. Included in networktopology 100 may be any number of remote server networks 110, serviceproviders 120, program sources 130, program listings sources 140, mediadistribution facilities 150, user equipment 160, communications networks170, distribution servers 180, and remote storage devices 190.

Media may be provided from programming sources 130 to media distributionfacilities such as media distribution facility 150 either directly orthrough communications network 170. Programming sources 130 may be anysuitable source of television or music programming, such as televisionand music production studios, etc. Additionally, programming sources 130may provide programming that is to be broadcast according to a schedule(e.g., a schedule that is published in advance).

On-demand media programming may be provided using distribution server180 or other suitable on-demand media equipment. On-demand media serversor VOD servers may be servers that are tailored towards storing,manipulating, and processing images and videos. Distribution server 180may include a plurality of servers wherein some of which are specializedservers for supporting on-demand media services. If desired,distribution server 180 or other on-demand media equipment may belocated at network nodes associated with media distribution facility 150or other suitable locations in network topology 100.

Media distribution facility 150 may be a cable system headend, asatellite television distribution facility, a television broadcastfacility, or any other suitable facility for distributing on-demandmedia content, television, and music programming to users.

Media distribution facility 150 may also be connected to various userequipment 160. Such user equipment 160 may, for example, be located inthe homes of users. User equipment 160 may include, for example, usertelevision equipment, user computer equipment, and user audio equipment.

User equipment 160 may receive television and music programming,on-demand media programs, and other information from media distributionfacility 150 either directly or through communications network 170. Userequipment 160 may also transmit and receive signals from mediadistribution facility 150, remote server network 110, and any otherdevice in network topology 100 through communications network 170.

Program listings source 140 may be used to provide user equipment withtelevision program listings information such as scheduled broadcasttimes, titles, channels, ratings information (e.g., parental ratings andcritic's ratings), detailed title descriptions, genre or categoryinformation (e.g., sports, news, movies, etc.), information on actorsand actresses, running times, etc. Program listings source 140 mayprovide program listings information to television distribution facility150 either directly or indirectly through communications network 170.

User equipment 160 may use the program listings information to displayprogram listings and program information for television programming, foron-demand media programming, and for PVR programming.

An interactive television program guide application or other suitableapplication may be used to display such information on a display devicethat is part of user equipment 160.

Communications network 170 may provide a communications hub between theelements in network topology 100. Communications networks 170 mayinclude a number of different networks such as a public switchedtelephone network, a packet-based network, a wireless network or theInternet.

An on-line program guide may be provided by a server located in remoteserver network 110, in distribution server 180, or by a server locatedin any element included in network topology 100. Remote server 110 mayinclude remote storage 190. Remote storage 190 may be used to storesoftware, media content, and data. In some embodiments, remote storage190 may provide a user interfacing with user equipment 160 with thecapability to store, manipulate, and retrieve media content,user-specific data, and any other type of data.

Remote server network 110 may include one or more VOD specializedservers. VOD servers are tailored towards storing, manipulating, andprocessing images and video. For example, VOD and VOD-related servershave been developed by Concurrent Computer Corporation of Atlanta, Ga.,nCUBE of Foster City, Calif., DIVA Systems Corporation of Princeton,N.J., and SeaChange International of Maynard, Mass.

Interactive television applications other than program guideapplications may use service providers such as service provider 120. Forexample, a home shopping service may be supported by a service providersuch as service provider 120 that has sales representatives, orderfulfillment facilities, account maintenance facilities, and otherequipment for supporting interactive home shopping features. A homeshopping application that is implemented using the user equipment may beused to access the service provider to provide these features to theuser. The user equipment may access service provider 120 via mediadistribution facility 150 or via communications network 170.

If desired, applications such as interactive television program guideapplications, home shopping applications, home banking applications, andother applications (e.g., applications related to e-mail and chat orother communications functions, etc.) may be provided as separateapplications. These separate applications may be accessed through anavigation shell application (e.g., a menu application with menu optionscorresponding to the applications). Additionally, the features of suchapplications may be combined. For example, on-demand media, homeshopping, and communications functions may be incorporated into theprogram guide or other application.

These applications or features may be implemented locally on the userequipment. The applications or features may also be implemented using aclient-server architecture in which user equipment serves as a clientprocessor, and a server, such as distribution server 180, at mediadistribution facility 150 or at some other suitable location acts as aserver processor. Other distributed architectures may also be used ifdesired.

Examples of client-server program guides are shown in Ellis et al. U.S.application Ser. No. 09/332,244, filed Jun. 11, 1999, which is herebyincorporated herein in its entirety. Examples of interactive televisionprogram guide systems with integrated program listings andvideo-on-demand display screens are shown in Walker et al. U.S.application Ser. No. 09/829,856, filed Apr. 10, 2001, which is herebyincorporated herein in its entirety. For clarity and brevity, FIG. 1 isillustrated to include only one of each of the elements that are showntherein. However, in implementation, network topology 100 may includemore than one of the elements that are shown therein. For example,network topology 100 may include multiple media distribution facilities180, multiple user-equipment 160, multiple distributions servers 180,etc.

Turning next to FIG. 2, network topology 200 includes select elementsfrom network topology 100 of FIG. 1 and expands on possible arrangementsfor such elements.

Network topology 200 may include user equipment 260 and 265, servernetwork 210, and communications network 270. User equipment 260 and 265are both included in network topology 200 to better illustrate the levelof equipment independency that may be obtained in on-demand mediadelivery systems.

User equipment 260 and 265 may provide a user with the capability todisplay, retrieve, record, and manipulate user-specific data, on-demandmedia content, and on-demand media data. User equipment 260 and 265 maybe user equipment 160 of FIG. 1. Additionally, user equipment 260 and265 may include input devices 261 and 266, display devices 262 and 267,set-top boxes 263 and 268, and communication devices 264 and 269respectively.

Input devices 261 and 266 may allow a user to access, control, orcommunicate with devices in user equipment 260 and 265 respectively.When used in conjunction with communication devices 264 and 269, a usermay communicate with, access, or program certain devices in networktopology 200 via communications network 270. Examples of input devices261 and 266 may include, for example, remote controls, keyboards, voicerecognition devices, and control panels located on the devices in userequipment 260 and 265.

Display devices 262 and 267 may provide a medium on which on-demandmedia content and data may be presented or displayed to a user. Examplesof display devices that may generally be used may include, for example,television sets, personal digital assistants (PDA's), computer monitors,and cell phones. Display devices 262 and 267 of FIG. 2 may be televisionsets, monitors, or other suitable display devices. Display devices 262and 267 may not be limited to only visual forms of presentation. Forexample, if desired, on-demand audio content and data may be presentedand displayed audibly to the user by display devices 262 and 267.Display devices may also include, for example, speakers, radios,sound-systems, and earphones.

Set-top boxes 263 and 268 may be capable of retrieving and sendingon-demand media content and on-demand media data to devices locatedoutside of user equipment 260 and 265 through communication devices 264and 269. Examples of communication devices 264 and 269 may include, forexample, local servers, telephone or cable modems, infrared ports, andwireless LAN access points. Set top boxes 263 and 268 may also containprocessing and storage capabilities as well as software needed for anon-demand media delivery system. Examples of software implemented onset-top boxes 263 and 268 may include, for example, interactivetelevision program guide applications.

For clarity and brevity, user equipment 260 and 265 are illustrativelyshown to include set-top boxes 263 and 268. However, in someembodiments, user equipment systems 260 and 265 may include a personalcomputer that has sufficient hardware and software capability to performthe functionality described herein or may include other devices withcapabilities similar to set-top boxes. If desired, user equipment mayinclude local storage devices such as a VCR, or a digital video recorderthat may provide conventional data recording and storage capabilities.

Communications network 270 may provide a communications hub andcommunications medium for the devices of network topology 200. Personsskilled in the art will appreciate that communications network 270 hasbeen provided in network topology 200 to illustrate the many differentways that the devices of network topology 200 may be connected together.Communications network 270 may represent connections such as directconnections network connections, or combinations of direct and networkconnections for devices in network topology 200. Communications network270 may include, for example, routers, switches, wide area networks, theInternet, LANs, intranets, wireless LANs, repeaters, landline networks,PSTN, PABX, cable television systems, etc.

Remote server network 210 may provide a remote location in whichon-demand media content and on-demand media data may be stored. Remoteserver network 210, which may be an on-demand media server, may beconfigured to store, access, and manipulate user-specific data inaddition to the on-demand media content and the on-demand media data. Ifdesired, remote server network 210 may provide a communications hubbetween user equipment 260 and 265 and other elements in networktopology 200. Furthermore, remote server network 210 may be part of amedia distribution facility or cable system headend.

Remote server network 210 may also include any number of remote servers211 and 212. Examples of remote servers 211 and 212 may include virtualservers, routing servers, queuing servers, storage servers, mediaservers, or any other type of server. Remote server network 210 mayinclude one or more servers.

User equipment platform independent on-demand features may be providedto users for accessing, manipulating, or storing on-demand media contentand on-demand media data, and also for accessing, manipulating, orstoring user-specific data.

FIG. 3 shows illustrative remote control 300, which may be used as aninput device for user equipment. Remote control 300 may include, forexample, primary option buttons 310, alpha-numeric buttons 320, taskbuttons 330, control buttons 340, secondary option buttons 350, andcustom buttons 360. Other arrangements of some or all of the buttons mayalso be used.

Primary buttons 310 provide a user with access to frequently usedactions in an on-demand media delivery system. Primary buttons 310 mayinclude display button 211, local storage button 312, other devicebutton 313, power button 314, login button 315, and logout button 316.Display button 311, local storage button 312, and other device button313 may be used to identify the device with which the user seeks tointeract. Login and logout buttons 315 and 316 may allow a user tocommunicate his or her identification to the on-demand media system.This identification may be communicated through alpha-numeric buttons320.

Alpha-numeric buttons 320 may be used to enter, for example, numbers,letters, or an alpha-numeric string. Alpha-numeric buttons 320 may beused in conjunction with other buttons of remote control 300. Forexample, if login button 315 is pressed, alpha-numeric buttons 320 maybe used for alpha-numeric entry of identification information.

Task buttons 330 may provide means for directing a task to be performedby a device in the on-demand media delivery system. For example, “LREC”button 338 may be used to have a local VCR record media content that iscurrently being displayed by the user equipment. If “RREC” button 339 isused, currently displayed media content may be recorded on a server in aremote server network. Task buttons 330 may include, for example, play,pause, record, stop, menu, confirm, rewind, fast-forward, local record,and remote record buttons or any other task button.

Control buttons 340 may include volume control buttons 341, navigationbuttons 342, and channel control buttons 343. Navigation buttons 342 maybe used to adjust or move a desired element (e.g., a cursor, a highlightwindow, etc.) either vertically, horizontally, or both. For example, ifthe desired element is a cursor on an interactive program-guide displayscreen, navigation buttons 342 may be used to move the cursor in thedisplay screen. The “OK” key in task buttons 330 may be used incombination with navigation buttons 342 to select on-screen options.

Secondary buttons grouping 350 may include, for example, profile access,relocate, auto-configure, access rights, billing information,administration, remote access, personal data, and public data buttons.Some of these features are further discussed below.

Custom buttons grouping 360 may include buttons associated with anyactions or commands that are pre-defined by a user. If desired, otherkeys and options may be included on remote control 300. Functions shownon remote control 300 of FIG. 3 may alternatively be offered ason-screen options or using other input means (e.g., voice input).

FIG. 4A shows illustrative navigation display screen 400 that may beused as a top-level display screen for an on-demand media deliverysystem in accordance with the principles of the present invention.Navigation display screen 400 includes media windows 401 and 402, mailprompt 405, time label 406, quick fact button 408, program listingoptions 410, cable showcase options 420, and viewer services options430.

Media windows 401 and 402 may be used to display user-selected mediacontent, system-selected media content, interactive advertisements, orother content displayed through user equipment. Media windows 401 and402 may be removed, relocated, or resized in display screen 400.

Mail prompt 405 may be displayed to indicate new messages or selected bya user to read electronic mail or to prepare and send electronic mail.Time label 406 may be used on display screen 400 to display the currenttime to a user. Time label 406 may be tailored by the user to alsodisplay other time critical information. Quick fact button 408 maydisplay a fact of possible interest (e.g., an interactive advertisement)in display screen 400. Quick fact button 408 may be selected to takefurther action or to display a related display screen.

Program listing options 410 may include options for viewing programlistings by time, by channel, or by genre (e.g., sports, children,etc.). Program listings options 410 may also include an option forsearching for programs of interest (e.g., using keywords, based on atitle search, based on an actor search, etc.). Program listings options410 may include an option to view a user's favorite program listings.

Cable showcase options 420 may include options for accessingvideo-on-demand program listings, pay-per-view program listings,pay-per-view event listings, premium program listings, music programlistings, or adult program listings.

A highlight window or cursor may be used to move within a displayscreen. For example, cursor 440 may be used to select options in displayscreen 400. Remote control 300 (FIG. 3), particularly navigation buttons342 (FIG. 3), may be used for moving cursor 440 within display screen400. The area upon which cursor 440 is positioned over may be selectedby pressing a select, enter, or OK key, such as remote control button335 of FIG. 3.

Screen 400 may also contain viewer services options 430. Suitable viewerservices options 430 may include, for example, an option to accessfeatures and/or information from a personal video recorder, an option toaccess messages (either e-mail messages or messages provided from atelevision system service provider), an option to adjust parentalcontrol settings (e.g., blocked channels or ratings, etc.), an option toset or view profile data (e.g., favorite channels, etc.), an option toset up the program guide or user equipment, an option to exit displayscreen 400, and an option to login to the system.

For brevity and clarity, programming and other media that is availablefor viewing, but is without a scheduled air time is primarily discussedin the context of video-on-demand programming.

If the user selects video-on-demand (VOD) option 421, the program guidemay present the user with a screen such as video-on-demand displayscreen 450 of FIG. 4B. Display screen 450 may contain various optionsthat allow the user to view video-on-demand program listings organizedby different criteria such as genres (e.g., family, action, drama,comedy, kids, thrillers, classics, etc.). If the user selects movies A-Zbutton 452 of display screen 400, the program guide may present displayscreen 500 of FIG. 5A in which video-on-demand program listings arelisted alphabetically.

Active area 507 may be present in many different display screens. Activearea 507 may be an interactive advertisement. Illustrative orderingdisplay screen 550 of FIG. 5B may be displayed when a user selects a VODlisting such as a listing for Star Wars from display screen region 540of FIG. 5A or from active area 507 of FIG. 5A. Video-on-demand orderingdisplay screen 550 may be displayed through any other suitabletechnique.

Display screen 550 may contain information region 552 that includesinformation on the title, purchase price, running time, rating, andother information related to the user's selection. A detailedinformation region such as information region 551 may also be displayed.Region 551 may include a detailed description of the VOD listing,information on the actors in the movie, the running time, the year ofrelease, etc.

If the user selects back option 556, the user may be taken back todisplay screen 500 of FIG. 5A. If the user desires to purchase thevideo-on-demand program, the user may use remote control 300 of FIG. 3to enter the user's login identification and associated passwordinformation. Other user identification techniques may also be used.These identification structures may support the entry, for example, of apurchase code or personal identification number (PIN) in region 553.

When valid login information is entered and a purchase button isselected (e.g., button 557), the distribution of the selectedvideo-on-demand program may be authorized to the user from server 180 orremote server network 110 of FIG. 1 or other suitable distributionsource to the user who is currently logged into the system. Therequested video-on-demand program may be displayed in display screen 600of FIG. 6A.

Region 608 may be displayed in display screen 600 and may containinformation on the program title and the time remaining in the currentvideo-on-demand program. Region 608 may also contain a selectableadvertisement. Region 608 may be provided as an overlay over thevideo-on-demand program that is being presented, as an L-shaped frameregion surrounding a reduced-size video window, or in any other suitableconfiguration or layout. Region 608 may be invoked whenever a userpresses an appropriate key on remote control 300 of FIG. 3 and may beremoved, for example, after a specified period of inactivity.

Primary on-screen control options 610 may be included in display screen600 to give users one way of controlling the on-demand media contentbeing displayed in window 601. Primary control options 610 may beselected by the user, for example, to play, pause, stop, rewind, recordlocally, record remotely, or fast-forward the video-on-demand program.Hide option 615 may also be included in control options 610. Whenselected, hide option 615 may remove all elements other than window 601from display screen 600.

When the user selects a control command, the program guide may directserver 180 of FIG. 1, a server located in remote server 110, or othersuitable equipment to perform the requested function. For example, whenthe user selects the remote record option 619, the program guide maydirect the server in remote server network 110 to record thevideo-on-demand program on the relevant storage space 190. When the userselects record option 619, the server may record some or all of thevideo-on-demand program that is currently available to the user. Theseare merely illustrative examples and any suitable technique for handlingvideo-on-demand recordings may be used if desired.

If the user selects rewind option 616, the program guide may direct theappropriate device, such as server 180 of FIG. 1, to skip to an earlierportion of the video-on-demand program. A real-time rewind process maybe used in which the video-on-demand programming is displayed during therewind operation. Commands for pausing, playing and fast-forwarding maybe handled similarly.

FIG. 6B shows illustrative primary login display screen 650. Logindisplay screen 650 may include an enter identification region 670 inwhich user identification may be entered by a user (e.g., usingalpha-numeric keypad 660). Additionally, options region 680 may beincluded in display screen 650. Options region 680 may include optionsthat are be used to access, for example, a user's profile, a priordisplay screen, help information, a VOD menu, and/or login/logoutoptions. Once an appropriate identification information is entered intoidentification region 670, a user may use login/logout button 685 tosend the user's identification information to remote server network 110or any other suitable device in network topology 100 of FIG. 1. Othertechniques for login may also be used. For example, if a user hasalready been identified by the user, the system may not be required tosubmit further information.

A relocate feature may be included in the on-demand media system. Thisrelocate feature may allow a user to freeze media-on demand contentbeing presented on one user equipment and switch to some other userequipment to resume the presentation of the media on-demand content(i.e., resume from the point at which the user had frozen the content).The user equipment may be equipment such as user equipment 260 and 265of FIG. 2. If the user wants to continue watching the on-demand mediacontent at a friends house (e.g., user equipment system 265 of FIG. 2),the user may only have to use the relocate feature to freeze theon-demand media content and relocate to the friend's house to resume theon-demand media content.

FIG. 7A shows an illustrative relocate feature confirmation displayscreen 700. Display screen 700 may be displayed when a command fromremote control 300 of FIG. 3 is selected or when an appropriate optionon an on-demand media display screen is selected to indicate a user'sinterest to freeze the program. If a user wants to confirm a freezerequest, option 710 may be selected. If a user does not want to confirmthe freeze request, option 720 may be selected. If desired, a user mayfreeze a VOD program by simply selecting the relocate feature from aremote control or from an earlier on-screen menu. If the user has notpreviously logged in or otherwise been identified, the user may be askedto log in or to provide identification information when making a freezerequest.

FIG. 7B shows illustrative relocation display screen 750 that may bedisplayed when a command from remote control 300 of FIG. 3 is selectedor when an appropriate option on an on-demand media display screen isselected to resume on-demand media that was frozen earlier by the user.Option 740 may be selected if a user wants to start to view the mediafrom the frozen point on user equipment that is different (e.g.,different household, different subscriber site, different room,different equipment platform, etc.) than that which was used to freezethe media.

When a user selects continue option 740, the media may be presented onthe current user equipment starting from the frozen point. If desired,media may be queued to the frozen point for presentation to a user whena user who had previously selected a freeze (or relocated) option logsinto the system. Also, if desired, the media may be queued selectivelyupon user request (e.g., user selects a resume from frozen pointoption). If the user has not previously logged in or otherwise beenidentified, the user may be asked to log in or asked to provideidentification information when making a resume request. The system mayalso allow the user to select from multiple programs which may have beenpreviously frozen by the user.

When the relocate feature is first selected by a user, remote servernetwork 110 of FIG. 1 may, for example, pause the on-demand mediacontent being viewed by the user and store a content location referenceto an appropriate user-specific account. After the user switches to adifferent location and requests that the paused content be appropriatelydelivered, remote server network 110 may retrieve the appropriatecontent location reference and continue delivering the media contentfrom the point at which the user paused the content. Before the mediacontent may be delivered, the remote server network may require that theuser be identified so that the appropriate user-specific data and/or auser-specific account information, may be located and accessed.

User-specific data or account information may be stored in a section ofremote server network 110 (FIG. 1) dedicated to the user. Remote servernetwork 110 (FIG. 1) may be a VOD server that is configured to storesuch information and data. An account on remote server network 110(FIG. 1) may also be used to store that user's personal images or video.Remote server network (FIG. 1) may allow users to access their personalimages or videos from their own home or from user equipment at otherlocations.

FIG. 7C is a flow chart of illustrative relocation process 760 thatshows how data is stored and accessed when a relocate feature isselected. Process 760 begins with start step 761 that may include almostany interaction with the media-delivery system that results in therelocation feature being presented to the user. Start step 761 may, forexample, be a user interaction that brings up relocate display screen700 of FIG. 7A. At step 762, a user may be given an opportunity tochoose or confirm the relocate feature.

If desired, step 762 may include step 771 for identifying a current user(e.g., identifying a current user on a first user equipment). Useridentification step 771 may provide the user with the ability to loginto the on-demand media system, which may include prompting the userfor an identification and/or password. Step 771 may be performed, forexample, in response to a user selecting the relocate feature.

If desired, step 771 may be part of start step 761 to allow the systemto identify the current user before the relocate feature is selected bythe user.

The on-demand media system may then save the user's current position(step 763) when the user selects the relocate feature. Saving thecurrent position may involve, for example, saving a pointer thatidentifies where the media content was ‘frozen’ or paused by therelocate feature. If the user was identified in step 771, process 760may store any data relevant to the operation of the relocate feature instorage space associated with the user. If desired, saving the currentposition may involve recording the media content from the point at whichthe relocate feature was chosen. At step 764, process 760 may enter anidle mode until a user selects to resume reception. Step 764 may includestep 772 for identifying the current user (e.g., identifying a currentuser on a second user equipment). Step 772 may be performed when a userselects to resume media using the relocate feature. At step 772, thesystem may provide a current user with the ability to log into theon-demand media system, which may include prompting the user for anidentification and/or password. If desired, step 772 may be performedbefore the current user selects to resume media using the relocatefeature.

At step 765, the location of the media content that was being viewedwhen the relocate feature was initially selected may be retrieved. Ifthe user was identified in step 772, data associated with the operationof the relocate feature may be retrieved from storage space associatedwith the current user.

If a pointer was stored, the system may find the correct location ofcontent in the on-demand media delivery system using the pointer andcontinue playing the media from that point (Step 765). If desired, themedia may have been remotely recorded from the point at which therelocate future was selected. In such embodiments, the system willsimply begin playing content from the point at which the content wasrecorded. After the content has been successfully retrieved and resumed,finish step 766 may occur which may denote the end of process 760.

FIG. 8 illustrates relocation process 880 and is similar to process 760,but includes the possibility of relocating while watching live content.Steps 881, 882, 891, 886, 892, and 888 are essentially the same as steps761, 762, 771, 764, 772, and 766 of FIG. 7C, respectively. At live feedcheck step 883, the system may determine if the current media is a livefeed. If the media is not a live feed, step 885 is performed, whichinvolves storing the current position of the media. If the media is alive feed, the media may be remotely recorded at step 884. After step884 occurs, the position of the media may be stored at step 885. Ifdesired, the position of the media may be stored in the form of apointer. During step 886, the system may be in an idle state, waitingfor the user to indicate that the user has relocated to new userequipment. If desired, process 880 may include steps 891 and 892 atparticular points in process 880 as shown and/or discussed above inconnection with steps 771 and 772 of FIG. 7C for identifying a currentuser at a first user equipment and at a second user equipment when auser has relocated to the second user equipment. After a user hasrelocated, the system may, in step 887, determine the stored mediaposition, retrieve the stored media position, and then continue playingthe media from the stored media position. Once play commences, finishstep 888 is reached and the user is successfully relocated.

A remote on-demand media server may be configured to store and deliveruser-specific media (e.g., pictures, videocam recordings, etc.), oruser-uploaded data or media. Access to such data and media may becontrolled in a variety of ways.

FIG. 9 shows illustrative data and media access process 900 for remoteservers. At step 901, a static request from the on-demand media systemor a manual request from a user interfacing with user equipment may bereceived. The request may be associated with the retrieval of mediacontent or user-specific data.

To retrieve media content, server 180 of FIG. 1 may be accessed. At step902, in response to a request for user-specific data, the appropriatedevice in network topology 100 of FIG. 1 may be checked to determine ifany type of authorization is needed to access the requested data. Atstep 903, in response to a request for media content, the system maycheck appropriate devices in network topology 100 of FIG. 1 to determineif any type of authorization to access the requested media content isneeded.

If access to the data or media does not need any type of authorization,the data or media may be retrieved and the user may be provided with anopportunity to access the data or the media at steps 907 and 908. Dataor media that may not require access privileges may include, forexample, data or media defined by a user as public.

If authorization is needed, then at step 904 or at step 905, a requestmay be sent to determine if the user has permission to access thedesired data or media. Steps 904 and 905 may include asking the user foran account identity and/or password. At step 906, users may be deniedaccess when the users have not been given access rights for the desireddata or media. If a user does have permission to access the desired dataor media, the user may be given access to the data at step 907 or accessto the media at step 908.

If desired, steps 902 and 903 may be combined. If desired, steps 904 and905 may be combined. Also if desired, 907 and 908 may be combined.

As mentioned above, the on-demand media system realizes many uniquefeatures in utilizing the capabilities of remote storage and remoteaccess. Some of such unique features may be realized in connection withremotely stored user profiles or remotely stored user accounts.

An on-demand media delivery system may have an account for a user or agroup of users (e.g., a household) that may be used to store userprofiles for users associated with the account. A user profile may actas a governing data structure through which user-specific data andon-demand media content and data may be accessed, stored, and retrieved.

Remote server network 110 of FIG. 1 may be partitioned and formatted toinclude a user account for any user or group of users in whichaccount-specific data and on-demand media content may be stored,manipulated, and accessed.

FIG. 10 shows illustrative profile display screen 1000 that may includeuser identification information 1005 to show who is currently recognizedby the system. If a new user wishes to login, new login option 1031 maybe selected and a login display screen such as display screen 650 ofFIG. 6B may be initiated. If the user desires an option that is notpresent on display screen 1100, more options button 1032 may beselected.

Region 1010 includes a number of different user-selectable options suchas a preferences option as shown. These options may allow the user toaccess or use locally or remotely stored data or media when the user islogged into the system.

FIG. 11 shows illustrative account administration display screen 1150that may be displayed when account administration option 1034 of FIG. 10is selected. Account information 1151 may be displayed on display screen1150 to show which user is currently recognized and to identify theadministrative position of that user. Account administration window 1160may be located on display screen 1150 and may contain a list of users orgroups that are under the recognized user's account. The recognized usermay change the properties of the users or groups in window 1160 throughadministrative controls 1170. A user may change properties of a user ora group by first selecting a user or group from window 1160 (e.g.,pressing a data entry key when a highlighted window is positioned over auser or group) and next positioning a cursor or highlight window on oneof the options in controls 1170 to take desired action. Examples ofcontrols that may be included in administrative controls 1170 mayinclude, for example, add new group, add new user, restrict group,restrict user, limit group, limit user, delete group, delete user,create a new account for a user, and create a new account for a group.

Storing user-specific data such as the user's preferences (e.g.,preferences in general, preferences for on-demand media, etc.) in aremote server such as a VOD server may allow for a personalauto-configure feature that would follow a user to move from equipmentto equipment. This feature may allow preferences to be retrieved andexecuted by user equipment after the user has been identified by thesystem (e.g., identified by a remote server network). Some categories ofpreferences and user-specific information that may be used in anauto-configure feature may include, for example, volume settings,favorite channels, reminders, information about user-recorded on-demandmedia content, the user's last activity, auto-record times, as well asany other preference or activity. For example, after a user is verifiedby a remote server network, the user equipment may selectively orautomatically be configured to match or use some or all of the user'sremotely stored preferences.

FIG. 12 shows illustrative auto-configure display screen 1200, which maybe initiated after a user has logged in via a login display screen(e.g., display screen 650 of FIG. 6B). Display screen 1200 may allow auser to select have user equipment auto configured. The user equipmentmay be user equipment that is currently being used that user. The userequipment may be auto-configured by downloading user-related data andinformation and processing the data and information on the userequipment to suit the current user.

Information region 1210 may be present on display screen 1200 and mayinclude data from a user's profile or data related to a user's login.Configure options 1220 may be included on display screen 1200.Information stored in a user's profile may be accessed to perform anumber of activities when one of options 1220 are selected. The optionsdisplayed among in configure options 1220 may vary depending on types ofthe information that are stored in a particular user's profile. Examplesof configuration options 1220 may include, for example,auto-configuration options, last activity options, favorite show option,last show option, and favorite activity option.

Always auto-configure option 1211 may be selected by a user toautomatically configured user equipment with the user's personalinformation whenever the user logs into the system. Auto-configureoption 1212 may be displayed when always auto configure option 1211 wasnot previously selected by the user. Auto-configure option 1212 may beselected to auto-configure the currently used user equipment. Userequipment settings may be deleted or reset by the user equipmentsettings by after a user has logged off and is no longer recognized tobe the user equipment.

FIG. 13 shows illustrative process 1350 that may be involved inautomatically configuring user equipment. The process may begin at startstep 1351, when, for example, an on-demand media delivery system isactivated. A user may be allowed to log into the system at step 1352. Atstep 1353, the user's login information may be verified. At step 1354,if the login information that is entered is valid, the system may checkto see if the account of the logged in user indicates that the alwaysauto-configure feature is selected. If the account shows the alwaysauto-configure feature to be selected, the user equipment that was usedfor logging into the system may be automatically configured with thatuser's preference information at step 1358.

At step 1358, auto-configuration preferences and information may beretrieved and downloaded to the currently-used user equipment and theuser equipment may be configured based on the preferences andinformation.

If the option to always auto-configure was not selected, a user may beprovided with an opportunity to have the currently-used user equipmentautomatically configured for the current login at step 1355. Step 1358may be performed when the user selects the auto-configure option duringthe current login. At finish step 1359, a user may be allowed to resumeother activity. In this technique, some or all of a user's profile orpreferences may be stored at a remote server.

The on-demand media delivery system may also contain an upload feature.FIG. 14A depicts an illustrative upload file display screen 1400 whichmay be initiated in order to upload a file. If desired, the uploadfeature may include a process that automatically scans user equipmentfor upload devices. Upload device buttons 1420 may be displayed ondisplay screen 1400 when different file sources are available. Forexample, display screen 1400 may include VCR upload button 1411,computer upload button 1412, and DVD player upload button 1413. A usermay be allowed to select a button from buttons 1420 to upload data fromthe device associated with that button.

The upload feature may also include an Internet address entry box 1410.A user may type or select a file address in box 1410. The on-demandmedia system may search the Internet for a file based on the fileaddress and may upload the file. A user may select practically any fileto upload when the file is found and have the file stored on a remoteserver of the on-demand media system.

Files uploaded to the remote server (e.g., VOD server) may also bedownloaded to user equipment to be presented to a user. Files may betransferred from one user equipment to a different user equipment systemthrough a media-on-demand remote server. Files may include almost anytype of data, program, or content. Examples of files that may beuploaded include, for example, pictures, movies, songs, video games,documents, e-mails, and Internet Web pages. Files such as pictures,movies, songs, video, or other audio-visuals materials may be ofparticular interest because on-demand media servers are particularlysuited for the delivery and presentation of audio-visuals to users.

Process 1450 is illustrated in FIG. 14B to show illustrative steps thatmay be involved in uploading a file to a device such as a VOD server. Atstep 1452, a user may be provided with an opportunity to select anupload feature. At step 1454, the on-demand media system may check tosee if a user is currently logged into the system. If a user is notcurrently logged in, user login may be requested at step 1455. At step1456 the system may check to see whether the login was valid. The uploadprocess may commence at step 1457 when the current user is logged intothe system.

At step 1457, the system will determine if file location information hasbeen given by the user. If desired, the system may search the userequipment for file source devices. If file source devices are found,appropriate upload options may be presented at step 1459. These optionsmay be presented to a user in the form of device buttons 1410 of FIG.14A. If no devices were found at step 1458, default options may bepresented to the user at step 1460. Default options may include, forexample, an Internet upload box or a list of possible storage devicesthat the user equipment may include. At step 1461, a user may beprovided with an opportunity to select a file location for upload usingthe presented options. At step 1462, the selected file may be uploaded.If desired, at step 1472, the system may convert file formats for filesthat are being uploaded (e.g., convert JPG files to MPEG files) and/ormay convert analog signals to digital file format.

After a file has been uploaded in step 1462, a user may want to assignaccess rights to that file. A user may also want to download the file toa different device in the on-demand media system. FIG. 15A is anillustration of display screen 1500 which may allow a user to download arecently uploaded file or to assign access rights to that file.

If a user desires to designate an uploaded file as a public file, publicbutton 1531 may be selected. If a user desires to designate an uploadedfile as a private file, private button 1532 may be selected. Downloadbuttons 1520 may also be included in display screen 1500. If desired,the system may convert file formats for files that are downloaded (e.g.,convert JPG files to MPEG files) and/or may provide digital to analogformat conversions. Examples of such buttons may include for example,download to VCR button 1511, download to computer button 1512, anddownload to DVD player button 1513. If desired, however, the user may bepresented with an option to have the file, which may be an audiovisualfile, displayed or played back for the user. For example, the system maypresent the user with “view on your TV” option 1533, which may allow theuser to view the file on the user's television set.

Files that are designated as private may be files that are associatedwith a particular user or with particular groups of users that haveaccess rights to the file to the exclusion of others. Access may belimited to certain activities, which may include, for example,downloading, viewing, deleting, writing, and manipulating a file.

FIG. 15B illustrates display screen 1550, in which a user may grant andrestrict access to particular users or groups of users in the on-demandmedia system. Display screen 1550 may include identity listings 1580that contains a list of users and groups in the on-demand media system.After selecting a user or group from listings 1580 (e.g., by navigatingon a listing and pressing a select key), a user may use grant button1562 to grant access to a selected user or group. A user may selectrestrict button 1563 to restrict access to selected user or groups. Ifthe user decides to make the file a public file, the user may selectpublic button 1564.

The on-demand media system may include a file search feature to aidusers in locating files. FIG. 16A illustrates display screen 1600 fromwhich a user may search for files on the on-demand media system. Displayscreen 1600 may contain search-type listings 1611. Listings 1611 mayinclude options that allow a user to designate which types of files areto be located in a search. Examples of file types in listings 1611 mayinclude, files to which the user has access rights, files associatedwith the current user, files for the presentation of audiovisuals suchas pictures, games, or videos, or files for any other type of data.

Search listings 1612 may be included in display screen 1600 to give auser capabilities to narrow a search. A user may use listings 1612 toenter searchable text that may be associated with either a file's titleor description. Identity search listings box 1613 may also be includedin display screen 1600 to narrow a search even further. Box 1613 gives auser the capabilities to search for files associated with specificidentities. After one or more files have been found by the on-demandmedia system, the user may download the file either to the remote serveror to a device in the user equipment system.

FIG. 16B is an illustration of display screen 1650 that allows a user todownload files which were located in a file search. Display screen 1650may contain found files listings box 1680, in which the found files maybe listed. Box 1680 may list found files in any manner, such asalphabetically, and if desired may include a data or ownership hierarchyshowing where the file was found in the system. Files from box 1680 maybe downloaded to a remote server with the selection of a downloadbutton, such as download button 1662. For example, a user may select afile in box 1680 and then move a cursor to button 1662 to select thatbutton. Device download buttons 1670 may also be included in displayscreen 1650 based on what devices are included in the currently-useduser equipment. Download buttons may include for example, download toVCR button 1671, download to computer button 1672, download to DVDplayer button 1673, or any other suitable button for downloading filesto a local device. If desired, the system may convert file formats forfiles that are downloaded (e.g., convert JPG files to MPEG files) and/ormay provide digital to analog format conversions. Additionally, the usermay be presented with view file option 1661, which may allow the user toview files located in the file search on the user equipment. See also“view on your TV” option 1533 of FIG. 15A, which essentially providesthe same functionality.

For clarity and brevity, the features of the systems that are describedherein are primarily discussed in the context of video-on-demandservices. The features may also be implemented with other types of mediaon-demand services. Media on-demand services may be used to massdistribute movies, programs, music albums, etc. to users. User equipmentand remote network servers may be configured for users to store personalmedia such as photographs, home videos, old recordings, or other mediaon a remote server for on-demand access by the user at a later time. Theuser as described above may associate desired access rights with themedia that the user stores on the remote server.

Some or all of the features that are described herein may be implementedas part of an interactive television program guide, as part of a mediaon-demand application, as part of a dedicated application for thosefeatures; or implemented using a combination of such applications.

If desired, in connection with the relocate feature, the system mayprompt a user to select whether to freeze on-demand-media of the userwhen the user is logging out of the system. Also, if desired, inconnection with the relocate feature, the system may allow the user toresume the presentation of on-demand-media from a different point thanthe point at which the on-demand media may have been frozen. Forexample, the system may provide the user with an option to resume thepresentation of on-demand media from the beginning of the media when theuser relocates and exercise the relocate feature. The system may furtherallow the user to rewind the media past the point at which the mediafrozen.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this inventionand various modifications may be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

1-56. (canceled)
 57. A method for use in an interactive televisionprogram guide system that provides users with access to programs, themethod comprising: displaying a program on a first user equipmentdevice; receiving a first indication from a user at the first userequipment device to pause the program that is displayed on the firstuser equipment device; responsive to receiving the first indication fromthe user at the first user equipment device: pausing the program on thefirst user equipment device; and storing data associated with the pausedprogram on the first user equipment device; receiving a secondindication from the user at a second user equipment device to resumedisplaying the paused program on the second user equipment device; andresponsive to receiving the second indication from the user at thesecond user equipment device, displaying the paused program on thesecond user equipment device from a point substantially near the pointat which the program was paused on the first user equipment device basedon the data stored on the first user equipment device.
 58. The method ofclaim 57, further comprising: responsive to receiving the secondindication from the user at the second user equipment device, retrievingthe stored data from the first user equipment device; and providing thestored data to the second user equipment device.
 59. The method of claim58, further comprising: responsive to receiving the second indicationfrom the user at the second user equipment device, transmitting acommunication identifying the paused program from the second userequipment device to the first user equipment device; and receiving thecommunication at the first user equipment device, wherein the storeddata is retrieved responsive to receiving the communication.
 60. Themethod of claim 59, further comprising: responsive to receiving thecommunication, transmitting the stored data from the first userequipment device to the second user equipment device; and receiving thetransmitted stored data at the second user equipment device.
 61. Themethod of claim 60, further comprising: responsive to receiving thetransmitted stored data at the second user equipment device,transmitting the stored data from the second user equipment device to aremote server; transmitting the program from the remote server to thesecond user equipment device; and receiving the program at the seconduser equipment device from the remote server.
 62. The method of claim59, further comprising: responsive to receiving the communication,transmitting the program from the first user equipment device to thesecond user equipment device; and receiving the program at the seconduser equipment device from the first user equipment device.
 63. Themethod of claim 57, wherein the first user equipment device comprises aserver remote to the second user equipment device.
 64. The method ofclaim 57, wherein the first user equipment device and the second userequipment device are in direct communication over a communicationsnetwork.
 65. The method of claim 64, wherein the communications networkis a public switched telephone network, packet-based network, wirelessnetwork, or the Internet.
 66. The method of claim 57, wherein the storeddata is further associated with an account associated with the user, thefirst user equipment device, a content location reference, a point inthe paused program where the user paused the program, or user-specificdata.
 67. The method of claim 57, wherein the first user equipmentdevice or the second user equipment device comprises a mobile device.68. The method of claim 57, wherein the paused program is displayed onthe second user equipment device from a point different from the pointat which the program was paused on the first user equipment device. 69.A method for use in an interactive television program guide system thatprovides users with access to programs, the method comprising:displaying a program on a first user equipment device; receiving a firstindication from a user at the first user equipment device to pause theprogram that is displayed on the first user equipment device; responsiveto receiving the first indication from the user at the first userequipment device: pausing the program on the first user equipmentdevice; and storing data associated with the paused program on the firstuser equipment device; and responsive to receiving a second indicationfrom the user at a second user equipment device to resume displaying thepaused program on the second user equipment device, causing the seconduser equipment device to display the program on the second userequipment device from a point substantially near the point at which theprogram was paused on the first user equipment device.
 70. The method ofclaim 69, wherein the program is displayed on the second user equipmentdevice based on the stored data in the first user equipment device. 71.The method of claim 69, further comprising: receiving a communication atthe first user equipment device from the second user equipment device,wherein the communication identifies the paused program; responsive toreceiving the communication from the second user equipment device,retrieving the stored data at the first user equipment device; andtransmitting the retrieved data from the first user equipment device tothe second user equipment device.
 72. The method of claim 71, furthercomprising: responsive to receiving the communication from the seconduser equipment device, transmitting the program from the first userequipment device to the second user equipment device.
 73. The method ofclaim 69, wherein the first user equipment device comprises a serverremote to the second user equipment device.
 74. The method of claim 69,wherein the first user equipment device and the second user equipmentdevice are in direct communication over a communications network. 75.The method of claim 74, wherein the communications network is a publicswitched telephone network, packet-based network, wireless network, orthe Internet.
 76. The method of claim 69, wherein the stored data isfurther associated with an account associated with the user, the firstuser equipment device, a content location reference, a point in thepaused program where the user paused the program, or user-specific data.77. The method of claim 69, wherein the first user equipment device orthe second user equipment device comprises a mobile device.
 78. Themethod of claim 69, wherein the program is displayed on the second userequipment device from a point different from the point at which theprogram was paused on the first user equipment device.
 79. A method foruse in an interactive television program guide system that providesusers with access to programs, the method comprising: receiving anindication from a user at a first user equipment device to display aprogram on the first user equipment device, wherein the program waspreviously paused on a second user equipment device; responsive toreceiving the indication from the user at the first user equipmentdevice, retrieving stored data associated with the paused program fromthe second user equipment device; and displaying the program on thefirst user equipment device from a point substantially near the point atwhich the program was paused on the second user equipment device basedon the retrieved data from the second user equipment device.
 80. Themethod of claim 79, further comprising: responsive to receiving theindication from the user at the first user equipment device,transmitting a communication identifying the previously paused programfrom the first user equipment device to the second user equipmentdevice.
 81. The method of claim 79, further comprising: causing thesecond user equipment device to transmit the stored data to the firstuser equipment device; and receiving the transmitted stored data at thefirst user equipment device.
 82. The method of claim 81, furthercomprising: responsive to receiving the transmitted data at the firstuser equipment device, transmitting the stored data from the first userequipment device to a remote server; causing the remote server totransmit the program to the first user equipment device; and receivingthe program at the first user equipment device.
 83. The method of claim80, further comprising: causing the second user equipment device totransmit the program to the first user equipment device; and receivingthe transmitted program at the first user equipment device.
 84. Themethod of claim 79, wherein the second user equipment device comprises aserver remote to the first user equipment device.
 85. The method ofclaim 79, wherein the first user equipment device and the second userequipment device are in direct communication over a communicationsnetwork.
 86. The method of claim 85, wherein the communications networkis a public switched telephone network, packet-based network, wirelessnetwork, or the Internet.
 87. The method of claim 79, wherein the storeddata is further associated with an account associated with the user, thesecond user equipment device, a content location reference, a point inthe paused program where the user paused the program, or user-specificdata.
 88. The method of claim 79, wherein the first user equipmentdevice or the second user equipment device comprises a mobile device.89. The method of claim 79, wherein the program is displayed on thefirst user equipment device from a point different from the point atwhich the program was paused on the second user equipment device.
 90. Asystem for use in an interactive television program guide system thatprovides users with access to programs, the system comprising: a firstuser equipment device comprising: a memory; a display device configuredto display a program; an input device configured to receive a firstindication from a user at the first user equipment device to pause theprogram that is displayed on the display; and control circuitryconfigured to: receive the first indication; and responsive to receivingthe first indication: pause the program displayed on the display; andstore data associated with the paused program in the memory of the firstuser equipment device; and a second user equipment device comprising: adisplay device configured to display the program; an input deviceconfigured to receive a second indication from the user at the seconduser equipment device to resume displaying the paused program on thedisplay of the second user equipment device; and control circuitryconfigured to: receive the second indication from the user at the seconduser equipment device, display the paused program on the display of thesecond user equipment device from a point substantially near the pointat which the program was paused on the first user equipment device basedon the data stored in the memory of the first user equipment device. 91.The system of claim 90, wherein the control circuitry of the second userequipment device is further configured to: responsive to receiving thesecond indication from the user at the second user equipment device,retrieve the stored data from the memory of the first user equipmentdevice, and the control circuitry of the first user equipment device isfurther configured to provide the stored data from the memory of thefirst user equipment device to the second user equipment device.
 92. Thesystem of claim 91, further comprising: a communications link coupled tothe first user equipment device and the second user equipment device,wherein the control circuitry of the second user equipment device isfurther configured to responsive to receiving the second indication fromthe user, transmit a communication over the communications linkidentifying the paused program to the first user equipment device, andthe control circuitry of the first user equipment device is furtherconfigured to receive the communication over the communications link,wherein the stored data is retrieved from the memory of the first userequipment device responsive to receiving the communication.
 93. Thesystem of claim 92, wherein the control circuitry of the first userequipment is further configured to: responsive to receiving thecommunication over the communications link, transmit the stored datafrom the memory of the first user equipment device to the second userequipment device over the communications, and the control circuitry ofthe second user equipment is further configured to receive thetransmitted stored data.
 94. The system of claim 93, further comprising:a remote server configured to transmit the program to the second userequipment device over the communications link, wherein the controlcircuitry of the second user equipment device is further configured to:responsive to receiving the transmitted stored data, transmit the storeddata to the remote server over the communications link; and receive theprogram at the second user equipment device from the remote server. 95.The system of claim 92, wherein the control circuitry of the first userequipment is further configured to, responsive to receiving thecommunication over the communications link, transmit the program to thesecond user equipment device over the communications link, and thecontrol circuitry of the second user equipment device is furtherconfigured to receive the program from the first user equipment device.96. The system of claim 90, wherein the first user equipment devicecomprises a server remote to the second user equipment device.
 97. Thesystem of claim 90, wherein the first user equipment device and thesecond user equipment device are in direct communication over acommunications network.
 98. The system of claim 97, wherein thecommunications network is a public switched telephone network,packet-based network, wireless network, or the Internet.
 99. The systemof claim 90, wherein the stored data stored in the memory of the firstuser equipment device is further associated with an account associatedwith the user, the first user equipment device, a content locationreference, a point in the paused program where the user paused theprogram, or user-specific data.
 100. The system of claim 90, wherein thefirst user equipment device or the second user equipment devicecomprises a mobile device.
 101. The system of claim 90, wherein thepaused program is displayed on the display of the second user equipmentdevice from a point different from the point at which the program waspaused on the first user equipment device.
 102. A system for use in aninteractive television program guide system that provides users withaccess to programs, the system comprising: a first user equipment devicecomprising: a memory; a display configured to display a program; aninput device configured to receive a first indication from a user at thefirst user equipment device to pause the program that is displayed onthe display; and control circuitry configured to: receive the firstindication; and responsive to receiving the first indication: pause theprogram displayed on the display; and store data associated with thepaused program in the memory of the first user equipment device; andreceive a second indication from the user at a second user equipmentdevice to resume displaying the paused program on the second userequipment device; and responsive to receiving the second indication,cause the second user equipment device to display the program on thesecond user equipment device from a point substantially near the pointat which the program was paused on the first user equipment device. 103.The system of claim 102, wherein the program is displayed on the seconduser equipment device based on the stored data from the memory of thefirst user equipment device.
 104. The system of claim 102, furthercomprising: a communications link coupled to the first user equipmentdevice and the second user equipment device, wherein the controlcircuitry of the first user equipment device is further configured to:receive a communication from the second user equipment device over thecommunications link, wherein the communication identifies the pausedprogram; responsive to receiving the communication from the second userequipment device, retrieve the stored data from the memory of the firstuser equipment device; and transmit the retrieved data to the seconduser equipment device over the communications link.
 105. The system ofclaim 104, wherein the control circuitry of the first user equipmentdevice is further configured to responsive to receiving thecommunication from the second user equipment device, transmit theprogram to the second user equipment device over the communicationslink.
 106. The system of claim 102, wherein the first user equipmentdevice comprises a server remote to the second user equipment device.107. The system of claim 102, wherein the first user equipment deviceand the second user equipment device are in direct communication over acommunications network.
 108. The system of claim 107, wherein thecommunications network is a public switched telephone network,packet-based network, wireless network, or the Internet.
 109. The systemof claim 102, wherein the stored data in the memory of the first userequipment device is further associated with an account associated withthe user, the first user equipment device, a content location reference,a point in the paused program where the user paused the program, oruser-specific data.
 110. The system of claim 102, wherein the first userequipment device or the second user equipment device comprises a mobiledevice.
 111. The system of claim 102, wherein the program is displayedon the second user equipment device from a point different from thepoint at which the program was paused on the first user equipmentdevice.
 112. A system for use in an interactive television program guidesystem that provides users with access to programs, the systemcomprising: a first user equipment device comprising: a display deviceconfigured to display a program; an input device configured to receivean indication from a user at the first user equipment device to displaythe program on the display of the first user equipment device, whereinthe program was previously paused on a second user equipment device;control circuitry configured to: responsive to receiving the indicationfrom the user, retrieve stored data associated with the paused programfrom the second user equipment device; and display the program on thedisplay of the first user equipment device from a point substantiallynear the point at which the program was paused on the second userequipment device based on the retrieved data from the second userequipment device.
 113. The system of claim 112, further comprising: acommunications link coupled to the first user equipment device and thesecond user equipment device, wherein the control circuitry of the firstuser equipment device is further configured to responsive to receivingthe indication, transmit a communication over the communications linkidentifying the previously paused program to the second user equipmentdevice.
 114. The system of claim 113, wherein the control circuitry ofthe first user equipment device is further configured to: cause thesecond user equipment device to transmit the stored data to the firstuser equipment device over the communications link; and receive thetransmitted stored data.
 115. The system of claim 114, wherein thecontrol circuitry of the first user equipment device is furtherconfigured to: responsive to receiving the transmitted data, transmitthe stored data to a remote server over the communications link; causethe remote server to transmit the program to the first user equipmentdevice over the communications link; and receive the transmittedprogram.
 116. The system of claim 113, wherein the control circuitry ofthe first user equipment device is further configured to: cause thesecond user equipment device to transmit the program to the first userequipment device over the communications link; and receive thetransmitted program.
 117. The system of claim 112, wherein the seconduser equipment device comprises a server remote to the first userequipment device.
 118. The system of claim 112, wherein the first userequipment device and the second user equipment device are in directcommunication over a communications network.
 119. The system of claim118, wherein the communications network is a public switched telephonenetwork, packet-based network, wireless network, or the Internet. 120.The system of claim 112, wherein the stored data is further associatedwith an account associated with the user, the second user equipmentdevice, a content location reference, a point in the paused programwhere the user paused the program, or user-specific data.
 121. Thesystem of claim 112, wherein the first user equipment device or thesecond user equipment device comprises a mobile device.
 122. The systemof claim 112, wherein the program is displayed on the display of thefirst user equipment device from a point different from the point atwhich the program was paused on the second user equipment device.